60,000 recycling bins to be wheeled out across Liverpool

Feb 13 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

THE final phase of Liverpool’s doorstep recycling service is due to be completed by the end of this month as the city tries to improve its waste disposal record.

Over the next fortnight, 30,000 terraced properties will receive a customised version of the wheelie bin – a 55 litre light blue recycling box made specifically for smaller properties.

At the same time, 30,000 wheeled bins are being rolled out to households and some flats across the city which were not included in the first phase.

It means all 195,000 houses in Liverpool will have access to the city council’s kerbside recycling service by the end of February.

Last year, Liverpool recorded one of the lowest recycling rates in the country at 7.6%, while some councils in the country had recycling rates as high as 50.4%.

Government targets for 2008 state Liverpool should recycle 20% of all waste collected, which is closer to the national average.

However, with the completion of the scheme, it is predicted the city will be recycling around 22% of its waste by the end of the financial year.

Liverpool council’s executive member for the environment, Cllr Berni Turner, said: “We started rolling out the blue bins nearly a year ago and initially included 100,000 households in the service, but we always knew the wheelie bin wasn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Since the first roll out, demand for the service from residents has rocketed, particularly from those living in smaller terraced properties, but the original 240 litre bin was just too big.

“So, we’ve listened to what everyone has had to say and created a specific box which will be perfect for these houses.

“We’re already seeing fantastic results from the new recycling service and for the first time, Liverpool is set to exceed the 20% recycling target set for us by the government.

“The 60,000 additional properties should improve our rate even more and set us on the road to become one of the greenest cities in the UK.”

The recycling team is currently trying out methods to improve collection systems to the majority of multi-occupancy properties, such as flats.

The city council’s environmental manager, John Wrigley, said: “We want every resident to have the best facilities available to recycle as much as they can and help us to exceed our targets.

“People are making the most of the service because it’s easy and convenient to use.”

alanweston